The Kase Program, coordinated by the JCCCNC in cooperation with the Japanese Community Youth Council, aims to support the development of the next generation of community leaders.

“The Kase Program has provided me with countless opportunities and tremendous growth,” said 2012-13 intern Sara Matsumoto. “From career skills development to learning about the rich history of this community, I have gained the knowledge and skills to enter the job market with confidence and to continue making a difference in our community.”

The program consists of two phases. Phase 1 is an eight-week, full-time Summer Community Internship at a non-profit organization in San Francisco’s Japantown. Interns will receive valuable training in community service, volunteerism, cultural preservation and networking with various community leaders.

One day of each week is reserved for the interns to visit various Japanese American organizations and community leaders, and participate in leadership and career development workshops to expand their personal knowledge of available community services and resources.

Phase 2 is from September 2013 to May 2014. Interns will participate in a part-time (approximately 40 hours per month) Career Internship that will focus on each student’s individual career interest and development needs. Successful Japanese American professionals will be identified to host interns and provide guidance and experience in specific fields.

Up to five participants will be selected to each receive a $5,000 educational scholarship for their successful completion of the Kase Program. Students will be selected based on their application, letter of recommendation and interview.

At least one of the Career Internships will focus on youth organizing and engaging other young people in supporting the long-term viability of the Japantown community. The youth organizer will facilitate communication about community involvement opportunities, organize youth gatherings and identify potential projects or activities that will keep young people engaged in the Japantown community.

Program Details

Participants must be available full-time for the Summer Community Internship from June 23 to Aug. 16 and part-time for the Career Internship from September 2013 to May 2014.

Japanese ancestry is not a requirement but a strong background of involvement in the Japanese American community is required, as well as a desire to learn about Japanese/Japanese American culture/heritage and the San Francisco Japantown community.

To be eligible for the 2013 program, the applicant must be continuing or entering college during the fall 2013 school year and be 18 years old at the start of the program (birth date on or before June 23, 1995).

Applications and letter of recommendation are due on Friday, April 26.

Qualified applicants will be invited to a personal interview April 29-May 3 and participants will be selected in early May.

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The Rafu Shimpo has been the nation's leading Japanese American newspaper since its original publication. We are proud to have served the Japanese American community from our Little Tokyo office in Downtown Los Angeles since 1903.